Table 3.

Examples to help improve mentee–mentor interactions.

Theme	Description	Do	Do Not
Holding your mentor in high regards	Mentees often think about the ways they respect or learn from their mentor Mentees may be frustrated with their mentor if their backgrounds and expertise do not match their mentors.	Respect your mentor(s) for their unique skills and perspectives and turn your interactions into a learning experience Approach the mentee–mentor relationship with a positive attitude (with the exception of abusive and/or toxic relationships)	Do not hesitate to have a conversation with your mentor about seeking other expertise for your research and career development
Bonding with your mentor	It is not realistic to expect every mentee–mentor pair to bond instantly	If you do not feel comfortable discussing certain issues with your mentor, try to focus on what you can learn from that person and look for other informal mentors for other needs	Do not abandon your mentee–mentor interactions right away and give your mentor time to adjust
Tense interactions with a mentor	The mentee has a difficult time speaking with the mentor due to nerves, anxiety, stress induced by the mentor or other situations	Prepare for meetings well in advance Discuss projects/questions with others in the lab or with other peers/colleagues in advance. Discuss this with the PI too, if your anxiety is debilitating	Do not assume that this is fine, thus allowing it to impact your well-being negatively
Mentorship on sensitive topics	Topics such as professional communication, conflict management, salary negotiation or navigating structural challenges specific to parents or marginalized communities in academia	Mentees: If you are unsure about whether you should discuss a topic with your mentor or mentee, you could ask them explicitly if they would be willing to discuss the said topic Mentors: Do listen to your mentees and create a safe space	Mentees: Do not assume you can discuss sensitive topics with any mentor Mentors: Do not rely on your mentees to educate you on sensitive workplace or cultural issues
Unrealistic expectations for mentors or mentees	Occasionally, mentors and mentees may expect too much from one another	Realize that the other person may be busy with work–life challenges. Try to be understanding and appreciative of the benefits of the relationship	As mentees, you should not expect your mentor to ‘make your career’ or provide you with all the answers